PowerHouse Programs
The PowerHouse is a tiny home used as a mobile educational resource. We’ve visited fairs, schools, libraries, and community centers–and we’d love to visit you!
The PowerHouse is an exciting way to bring science and energy education to life. Programs can explore a wide variety of topics surrounding science, energy, and the environment. Read on for some example activities!
Our programs
Programs cost $150 per program hour, plus a flat fee of $150 to cover transportation to and from the location. Long distances (30+ miles from Ithaca, NY) may incur an additional transportation charge. PowerHouse programs are subject to a minimum total charge of $500.
Limited financial assistance may be available, especially for classroom teachers. Please email us for more information.
Programming is available April through November. If you have any questions, please email us at PowerHouse@cornell.edu.
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Energy Detectives: Design your very own draft detector and use a thermal camera to explore home energy use.
NYS Standards met by this lesson: P-PS1-1; P-PS3-1; K-PS1-1; K-ESS2-2; K-ESS3-3
Singing and Story Time: Explore the PowerHouse and then cozy up in the tiny house reading loft for sing-alongs and stories about our homes and our Earth!
NYS Standards met by this lesson: PK. ELAL. 1, 5, 6, 7, 8 , 10, 11 , & 12
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Singing and Story Time: Explore the PowerHouse and then cozy up in the tiny house reading loft for sing-alongs and stories about our homes and our Earth!
NYS Standards met by this lesson: PK.ELAL.1, 5, 6, 7, 8 , 10, 11 , & 12
Hands-On STEM Stations: Groups learn about states of matter, engineering design, and environmental relationships by exploring the PowerHouse and participating in hands-on STEM experiments.
NYS Standards met by this lesson: K-PS1-1; K-ESS2-2; K-ESS3-3; 1-LS1-1; 2-PS1 & 2; K-2-ETS1-1 & 3
Save the Ice!: Explore heat transfer in a fun, hands-on experiment where small groups try to save their ice for as long as they can!
NYS Standards met by this lesson: K-PS1-1; K-ESS2-2; 1-LS1-1; 2-PS1-1 & 2; K-2-ETS1-1 & 3
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Hands-On STEM Stations: Groups learn about energy and fuels, properties of matter, environmental protection, and engineering design by exploring the PowerHouse and participating in hands-on STEM experiments.
NYS Standards met by this lesson: K-PS1-1; K-ESS2-2; K-ESS3-3; 1-LS1-1; 2-PS1 & 2; K-2-ETS1-1 & 3
Save the Ice!: Explore heat transfer in a fun, hands-on experiment where small groups try to save their ice for as long as they can!
NYS Standards met by this lesson: K-PS1-1; K-ESS2-2; 1-LS1-1; 2-PS1-1 & 2; K-2-ETS1-1 & 3
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Solar Oven: Students learn about the greenhouse effect and the science of climate change. Groups then work to apply STEM principles to develop a solar oven mimicking the greenhouse effect.
NYS Standards met by this lesson: MS-PS3-3; MS-ESS3-3; MS-ETS1-1 & 2
Insulation Challenge: Small teams discover what makes the PowerHouse well-insulated and then compete against each other to design the best-insulated enclosure.
NYS Standards met by this lesson: MS-PS1-6; MS-PS3-3; MS-ESS3-3; MS-ETS1-1, 2, & 3; HS-PS1-5
Design-Your-Own Tiny Home: Learn about the PowerHouse’s construction and energy use and then design your very own, super-sustainable tiny home!
NYS Standards met by this lesson: MS-PS3-3; MS-ESS3-3; MS-ETS1-1 & 2; HS-PS1-5
Looking for something else? If possible, we’re happy to develop or adapt activities to meet your needs! For any other questions, please contact us at PowerHouse@cornell.edu.